Color light projector



`Iam. 31, 1933, R R, STOEFEN l 1,895,690

COLOR LIGHT PROJECTOR ,Filed Nov. 27. 1951 A TTORXEYS.

Patented Jan. 31, 1933 lUNITED*STATES PATENT oFFlcE :ROBERT B. STOEFEN, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA COLOR LIGHT PROJECTOR Vapplication mea Novemper 27, 1931. serial No. 577,513.

This invention relates to a color light projector which is adapted to be-used as an independent device or as'an adjunct to various spotlight color projecting machines. An object of the invention is to provide an improved simple device for varying the appearance of mingled differently colored areas in a novel manner so as to produce a kaleidoscopic effect.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simpllfied arrangement of rotating arts or color discs which can be assembled ma very compact manner and which can readily be driven from a single shaft to produce the desired mingling andchanging of the colors shown upon the screen.

A still further object of the invention is to produce a device of the kind stated which can readily be attached to and removed from various spotlight color projecting machines so as to add to the variety of color effects which such machines are capable of producing.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may hereinafter appear.

Referring to the accompanying drawing which illustrates what is at present deemed to be a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a vertical mid-section ofthe device2 the motor being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental front elevation of the device.

Figs. 3 and 4 areenlarged sectional details of glass-mounting means pertaining respectively to the large disc and the small disc.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the machine comprises a base plate 5 upon which is mounted the motor 7. Upon the base 5 is also mounted an upstanding standard or support 10 which is provided at a point adjacent to the motor 7 with a vlower bearing arm 11 and at a point thereabove with an upper bearing arm or an ular bracket 12, said bracket 12 having at its outer edge an upstanding bearing member 13. vBoth the bearing members 11 and 12 project toward the motor 7.

A bearing 15 is located in the standard 10 `above the base portion of the bracket 12, and

another bearing 16 is located in the upstanding part 13 of thelbracket 12. By means of these bearings 15 and 16 an inner shaft 17 and a tubular outer shaft 18 are supported, lboth of said shafts projecting beyond the outer face of the standard 10, that is to say, beyond the face thereof which is farthest from the bracket 12. j

To the outer end of the inner shaft 17 is secured the color disc 20, and to the outer end portion of the tubular shaft 18.is secured the color disc 21. Near the inner side of the standard 10 a bevel gear 22 is secu-red to the 60 inner end of the tubular shaft 18, and near the inner or right hand end of the shaft 17 as seen in Fig. 1, is secured a bevel gear 23. These gears are properly spaced away from each other and are driven in opposite directions by means of the driving gear 24 which is fixed to the shaft 25. Said shaft 25 has its upper bearing in the horizontal portion of the bracket 12 and its lower bearing in the arm 11. Below said arm 11, said shaft 25 has 7 fixed thereto the bevel gear 26, the latter gear being in mesh with the drivin bevel Agear 27 which is fixed to the motor shaift 28.

One of the color discs, preferably the smaller disc 20, is provided with an inwardly projecting hub portion 30 which bears against the adjacent central portion of the larger disc 21 in order to provide a clearance between the outer portions of the discs while they are being rotated in reverse directions. B0

The outer disc 21 is shown provided with an annular color plate 35 the periphery of which is fitted within a rim 36. Said rim 36 is connected with the hub of this disc by means of a. series of spokes 37 the outer por- 85 tion of each of said spokes being offset at 38 where it overlies the annular plate 35. Between adjacent spokes 37, unobstructed clear spaces may be provided which freely admit the light to the-color areas of smaller disc 20.

In Fig. 1 the front portion of the casing, designated 45, is outlined in dotted lines, together with the front lens 46, the device being mounted Within this casing in the proper position to project the colored light through said lens. The standard 10 which supports the color discs 20 and 21 is shown constructed as a broad plate which is provided with the light opening 50 in alinement with the front lens 46. In Fig. 1 long broken lines 51 in- 10 dicate the path of the light from the lamp of the machine.

In Fig. 3 is shown, in sectional detail, the preferred means for securing the annular glass disc 35 in place around the rotary dlsc structure 21. For -this purpose the rim 36 is formed in two complementary parts 36a and 36?) which are so shaped as to provide between them along the' inner edge of the rim, when secured together by the screws 36s, a

ldnly the edge portion of the glass annulus 35 and also a channel shaped packing member 36x preferably of rubber or like material. Opposite each spoke 27 the inner edge ofthe annnlus 35 is provided with a notch 3511, which provides a recess for the adjacent portion in order that the spoke may more readily clear the outer edge portion of the other annular member 20a.

Referring to Fig. 4 the inner edge portion of the glass annulus 20a of the smaller disc member 20 is held in place between the hub -flange' 20h and the securin ring 20w, a channel 'shaped packing mem er 20a of rubber or the like being provided. Screws 208 hold the ring 20m t0 the hub flange 20h.

The invention is not limited to the particular form of color diss 20 and 21 shown in the drawing, these discs being merely an example of desirable color discs to use in the device.

I claim:

1. In a color light projector, two discs each of which has a plurality of differently colored translucent segments, means to support said discs adjacent to each other on concentric axes, and means to simultaneously rotate said discs in opposite directions, one of said discs being of a greater diameter than the other, such disc having colored areas located radially beyond the periphery of the smaller disc and having clear spaces throughout its central portion opposite to the color areas of the smaller disc.

2. In a color light projector, -two color discs, aninner shaft to which one of said discs is secured, an outer tubular shaft to which the other o f said discs is secured, said inner shaft extending through said tubular shaft and having a portion projecting therebeyond, one of said discs being concentrically secured to said projecting portion of said inner shaft and the other disc being concentrically secured to the adjacent end portion of said outer shaft, one of said discs being of considerably less diameter than the other, the larger disc having color areas located radially beyond the periphery of the small disc and having clear spaces opposite to the color areas of the smaller disc.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiix my signature.

ROBERT R. STOEFEN.

Groove of sufficient width as to contain not 

